Exposition: All of the characters of import are introduced in the first few chapters, all of whom their insider knowledge to the main character, Ethan Allen Hawley. Each one wants something from him, but don't want to reveal just what it is. For the rest of the story, Ethan spends his time figuring out their secrets, reacting to them, and using this knowledge to his advantage.
A little ways in, we are given Ethan's background. He comes from a wealthy and well-respected family that made their fortune from whaling and selling blubber for oil. When the oil industry turned to underground oil, the Hawleys and their partner faced financial ruin. Most were able to adapt to the change and get by well enough, but not all. Ethan suspects his grandfather's partner, who was never named, burned their ship for the insurance money. Old Cap'n, his grandfather, then died of grief. Throughout the book, he never stops seeking the truth behind the matter, though he is dissuaded by others at every turn.
We meet Margie Young-Hunt early, when she enters the grocery shop Ethan works at to flirt with him. She claims that she is a psychic, beloved by Ethan's wife, Mary. Her prediction is that, very soon, Ethan will become a rich man. Although he is a sceptic and can't stand Margie personally, he is taken both with her looks and the hope she gives him.
Ethan is ashamed of his low station as a grocery clerk, as is his family. He takes out his frustrations on Mr. Marullo, the shop owner, when Mr. Marullo stops by to check on things. Even though Mr. Marullo is quite clever with his practices, Ethan's pride will not allow him to appreciate it. Instead, he lays into Mr. Marullo with a racist rant. He is Italian American at a time when America still heavily associated Italians with the mob, and Ethan used the "stealing our jobs" rhetoric that we, unfortunately, still hear today.
It is difficult to understand Mary's character, as Ethan describes his wife in a very subjective way. When she is sweet to him, he describes her as one would a goddess of love. When her attention is not directly focused on him, such as when she is sleeping or worrying about her children, he describes her as an idiot in various ways. Between how he views Mary, Margie, and his daughter, Ellen, we can see that he has a low opinion of women. Even in their daily life, Ethan toys with Mary, making confounding and even downright insulting statements that Mary takes as jokes. Although Mary is a victim in this story, she is not without her faults. When Ethan asks her if she wants to help him or leave it all to him, she deliberately chooses to close her eyes to the world around her.
A young man, Biggers, catches Ethan alone at the shop and offers him a deal. If he secretly switches produce vendors for a much cheaper vendor, then Biggers will let him keep five percent of the difference in price, without telling Mr. Marullo, the shop owner. After some thought, Ethan turns down the offer, which he informs Mr. Marullo about. This solidifies him as an honest man in Mr. Marullo's eyes, which will become very important later.
In the first few pages, we meet Joey Morphy, Ethan's biggest confidant. Thinking they are friends, Morphy chats with Ethan about how easy it would be to rob their bank, how morally neutral, and how easy it would be to get away with it. The temptation is too strong for prideful Ethan, who begins to hatch his plan.
Finally, we meet Ellen and Allen, Ethan's children, whom I just realized are both named after him. Both children want to enter a national essay contest for the prize money and the chance to appear on television. Ellen is dissuaded by Ethan, who views it as a get rich quick scheme, but Allen is too stubborn to give it up. This exchange appears to be an unimportant subplot at first, but becomes much more important later, when it is used to judge the change in Ethan in this person vs. self novel.
The Middle: Ethan makes a plan to rob the bank next door, and rehearses it over and over again. He plans to wait until the safe has been opened by the manager depositing money, then sneak in and grab two thousand dollars. He'd wear a Mickey Mouse mask, and hide the bills in a cake box until he's back in the store. Then, he'd hide them in a hollowed out hat box. Instead of spending the money right away, he'd save it for store expenses.
Ethan also plans to take ownership of the store. Marullo offers to let Ethan buy his way into partnership for cheap, but this is not enough for Ethan. Once again, his pride gets in the way. He cannot stand to be only co-owner of the store. So, he calls immigration and has Marullo deported for entering the country illegally twenty years ago.
Margie visits the bakers on several occasions, even going on a double date with them. Ethan has coffee with Joey Morph. A few conversations with Mr. Baker and the cops lets Ethan know that several public figures are being prosecuted for corruption.
Danny Taylor, Ethan's childhood friend and current drunk, inherited a strip of land ideal for an airport. Mr. Baker wants to buy the land and sell it for a profit, inviting Ethan to join him. Again, Ethan is greedy. He gives Danny money under the premise of getting healthy.
Climax: Many things happen within a short time period, putting Ethan in a state of mild shock. At the exact moment that he starts to implement his plan, a federal officer appears and gives him an envelope. Enclosed is the deed to the store. Marullo gave it to him of his own free will, believing that Ethan is a good, honest man. Although Ethan did not rob the bank, he does not celebrate the fact. He can only think of his guilt.
Danny Taylor committed suicide with a pistol. Again, Ethan is racked with guilt, knowing that he enabled Danny to drink himself to death. In Danny's will, he left the land and the money Ethan had given him to Ethan himself.
Mr. Baker wants Ethan to run for town manager, but Ethan refuses on the grounds of a conflict of interest. He can't be impartial when he owns over half of the airport (though he never does).
Margie throws herself at Ethan, but he turns her down. He was attracted to her, but that turns to disgust when she admits she is only after his money.
Allen receives an honorable mention for his essay. At first, the family celebrates, and Ethan again wonders why he is blessed when he has done nothing to deserve it, according to him. Then, the family is informed that Allen plagiarized his essay. Seeing the parallels between himself and his son, and recognizing they unwittingly helped each other commit crimes without remorse, Ethan is pushed over the edge.
Ethan attempts to commit suicide, but not before a final farewell to his beloved daughter. He takes a talisman he and his daughter share, and while he is swallowed by the sea, he thinks to return it. The novel ends on an uncertain note, leaving it up to the reader whether Ethan lived or died.
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